Major reshuffle: Judges handling Kodanad case transferred

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has transferred 26 judges as part of its routine annual transfer. Interestingly, two judges who were assigned to the Kodanad heist and murder case are also part of the regular transfer.

The High Court on Friday reshuffled 26 district judges including P Murugan, chief judicial magistrate Nilgiris and G Narayanan sessions judge, Nilgiris, both were handling the infamous Kodanad heist and murder case revolving around the opposition AIADMK.

The murder case triggered a heated debate between the Dravidian majors - DMK and AIADMK as the estate was owned by former CM J Jayalalithaa and the murder happened during the chief ministership of Edappadi K Palaniswami. The transfer memorandum released by the Madras high court notified that judge P Murugan will be transferred as presiding officer of labour court Salem.

Principal district judge of Pudukottai, A Abdul Kadhar will replace Murugan.

Judge G Narayanan transferred as principal district judge of Pudukottai will replace Abdul Kadhar, said the notification.

While the acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court made some new appointments in another notification. M Jothiraman, registrar (inspection) at Madras high court, transferred and posted as registrar (judicial) in Madras High Court.

In another order, the Madras High Court has transferred and posted 80 senior civil judges.

M Breetha District legal services authority of Thoothukudi is transferred and posted as chief judicial magistrate of Dharmapuri, D Jaya Surya the principal sub judge of Ariyalur is transferred and posted as sub judge of Ranipet, are some of the judges who got transferred, noted the notification. P Shanthi, chief judicial magistrate, Trichy will be transferred and posted as chief judicial magistrate Nammakal. M K Mayakrishnan, chief juducial magistrate of Nagercoil, transferred and posted as chief judicial magistrate Mayiladuthurai. It may be noted that on Friday, the MHC ordered the transfer of 51 district judges and four civil judges.